Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Pine Bark Extract No Help for Heart

Pine bark extract is rich in antioxidants and it has been touted as a natural way to lower blood pressure. A new study compared a Japanese version of the supplement to placebo and found no cardiovascular benefits. The study subjects were 130 overweight people with untreated high blood pressure. They took either 200 mg of the pine bark extract or a look-alike placebo for 12 weeks. At the end of the study there were no differences in blood pressure or any other cardiovascular measure between the two groups. The researchers did determine that the extract, although ineffective, was safe.
[Archives of Internal Medicine, Sept.27, 2010]

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.